The spread of electrification does not stop at the limits of the automotive industry. Harley-Davidson announced bold plans to become electric in 2018 when it unveiled the battery-powered LiveWire, and traveled to CES 2019 to reveal additional specifications about the e-hog. Two months later, H-D announced the official production range of LiveWire, the acceleration and loading times at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Although purists will have a hard time accepting a Harley without a V-twin engine, the company did everything possible to convince its customers to give up gasoline and become electric.H-D announced updated acceleration figures in Geneva.The 2019 LiveWire takes about 3.0 energetic seconds to reach 60 miles per hour from a stop.It is automatic, so it is not necessary to release a clutch or change gears to reach highway speeds.Ready to go?The LiveWire accelerates from 60 to 80 mph in 1.9 seconds.

The power and torque specifications remain hidden for the time being. In Geneva, the company stated that LiveWire offers a range of more than 140 miles in an urban environment and 88 miles in combined stops and take-off miles and on roads.

The motor is a stressed component of the bicycle’s aluminum frame, which keeps the weight down and helps rigidity. It also lowers the center of gravity. Because Harley, like most bicycle manufacturers, likes to draw attention to their propulsion systems, the light-duty engine has a shiny cast aluminum housing. The driver’s foot controls and intermediate mounting pins will allow a semi-erect seat, although motorcycle riders can lean back and use the collapsible passenger’s pins down. Narrow gauge bars may require more body tilt in turns than larger designs.

The main battery is a lithium-ion unit inside a cast aluminum case. The fins on the battery case are designed to help with cooling. A standard level one charger on board can be plugged into any regular power outlet through an included cable (placed under the seat). Harley-Davidson says that LiveWire can also connect to level two, level three, fast DC load (DCFC) and CCSE-IEC load sources. Distributors selling LiveWire will have DCFC charging stations for public use.

The recently published load times include 40 minutes for a battery charge of zero to 80 percent with standard DCFC and 60 minutes for charging from zero to 100 percent.

Harley developed the LiveWire chassis to navigate the urban streets instead of traveling the highways. The bike has Showa adjustable suspension components in front and behind. To the front, there is a Showa SFF-BP (Large piston-separate function fork), while a Showa BFRC-lite shock absorber (Balanced free rear balance) is operated from the rear. In simpler terms, users can mark the amount of comfort or management they want from LiveWire. The Brembo Monoblock dual disc brakes in the front work in conjunction with the standard anti-lock brakes improved in curves and traction control systems. The bike rides on the tires of joint mark H-D / Michelin Scorcher. The LiveWire has seven selectable driving modes; Four are from the factory and three are customized by the pilot.

A 4.2-inch color touch screen provides information about the bicycle and shows the information and entertainment system. Users can customize the screen, and a specifically designed smartphone application called H-D Connect allows them to remotely verify the remaining range of LiveWire and monitor the charging process. The application also helps users find charging stations, in addition to sending alerts if it detects that the bicycle has been moved or has been hit.

Selected Harley-Davidson dealers will start selling LiveWire in North America and Europe in the fall of 2019. Additional markets will follow in 2020. In the United States, prices start at approximately $ 30,000 before incentives are included. Will be willing to pay money to the Ford Mustang to become electric. Advance orders from EE. UU They are open now and European orders will open in April.

The Get Into Blog editorial team loved the LiveWire design, so much so that we crowned it as the best automotive technology at CES 2019. Over the past few years, all have been in the integration of technology in cars, but LiveWire shows that motorcycles It can evolve, too. It also helps that it is a beautiful bicycle.

Jeremy Kaplan, editor-in-chief of DT, presented his award to the Harley-Davidson team and told them about the design of LiveWire and what it means for the future of such a venerable American brand.

Describing the LiveWire, Sean Stanley of Harley-Davidson said: “This is a completely new experience in the world of motorcycling, it is a tribute to where we came from, but it also creates an amazing and impressive journey on the road.”

Stanley noted that several design features in the LiveWire, such as the battery, are intended to pay homage to the classic designs of Harley-Davidson.

“the EV powertrain, that cylinder at the bottom,” he said, “that jewel on the motorcycle, again to assent where we came from, that drive train is always the jewel, and it draws your attention there. powerful too, it will surprise many people once we put them in their seats.”

Jim Federico, vice president of engineering at H-D. He emphasized the power of the LiveWire and said: “Once you turn the accelerator, you will have 100% of the available torque and you will feel it, this will be from 0 to 60 in less than 3.5 seconds.” In particular, the official 3.0 seconds. the time to 60 is even greater.